As a component of the regular army the French light infantry battalions were a relatively new innovation in 1792. Until almost the eve of the Revolution the French had relied upon temporary volunteer corps for most of their light troops, often referred to as 'legions', and made up of both mounted and dismounted elements. It was not until 1784 that these 'irregulars' were permanently incorporated into the regular army and only in 1788 were the mounted squadrons removed and the remaining light infantry reorganised into twelve battalions of chasseurs à pied. (Chasseurs being the equivalent of fusiliers in the line battalions)

With the great political dramas of 1789-91 came a succession of further organisational changes, but by the outbreak of the Revolutionary Wars in April 1792 the organisation of each light infantry battalion had settled upon eight chasseur companies; with a theoretical company strength approaching 130 men. In each company eight men were designated as carabinier "sharpshooters" who in practice were now detached and combined to form an additional elite ninth company (much like the grenadiers in the line battalions). This internal battalion structure was effectively retained to the end of the wars - and beyond into the Napoleonic period. However, there was still much chopping and changing of regular light battalion identities as they were shifted around and merged with various volunteer 'light' formations to create the new, three battalion Demi-Brigades Légère following the amalgamations of 1793-94.

These upheavals are to a large extent reflected in the rapid evolution of the light infantry's appearance during this period. The Eureka range is broken down into three main (later to be four) sections each dealing with the different and overlapping phases of uniform development. The first part of the range (codes 100WFR60-67) covers the French Light Infantry at the beginning of the wars. They had officially just been issued with the 1791 casque helmet and were still wearing the dark green light infantry coat of the old Royal army with its long tails and 'square' shaped lapels. As early as February 1793 it was officially decreed that as part of the planned amalgamation process to create the Demi-Brigades Légère the light infantry should change their green coats for new ones in the now approved French national blue. However in practice the old green coats were still commonly worn by the original light infantry battalions well after this date, in part because of supply problems, but mainly because the final battalion amalgamation to create most of the Demi-Brigades Légère was delayed until well into 1794.

The second part of our range (codes 100WFR70-78) depicts the new blue coat once it was finally introduced. It differs from the old green coat in that the lapels are now 'pointed' at the bottom and the coat tails are shorter - the latter not officially approved to begin with, but a reflection of fashionable taste (based on the short tailed Carmagnole jacket popular with French Jacobin revolutionaries). Even once the short tailed coats had been approved for the rank and file officers were supposed to continue wearing coats with long tails, but no doubt many did not, and we have provided both options. Another fashionable feature is the universal adoption of epaulettes by both chasseurs and carabiniers (epaulettes in the line infantry battalions would normally be restricted to only the élite grenadier companies). At this point it is perhaps worth noting that throughout the Revolutionary Wars both chasseurs and carabiniers wore sword side arms.

The third section of this range (codes 100WFR80-88) represents the same light infantry blue uniform as above, but without the 1791 casque helmet, which was unpopular and was steadily replaced by the more comfortable bicorne hat from around 1793-4 onwards. (Although one or two units may have retained their casque helmets as late as 1796 and Napoleon's first campaign in North Italy). The bicorne wearing French light infantryman was by far the most common appearance from the middle of the wars, until the introduction by some units of a short shako with side plume from around 1799. This shako was to be officially adopted right at the end of the wars 1801 for all light infantry - and we will be providing these versions in a future release.

By now it will have become apparent that the figures from each of these three sections can be overlapped and combined in varying numbers depending on the date of the unit you wish to represent. Light battalions for the early campaigns of 1792-93 can be formed from figures in predominantly long tailed green coats, but by 1794 you can mix green and blue coated figures into the same formations, along with some figures already wearing the bicorne while the majority of the battalion might still wear the casque helmet. By 1795 green coats and casque helmets should be in the minority, and barely evident at all by 1796 as blue coats and bicornes dominate the picture. For additional variety we have also provided a selection of figures in ragged campaign uniform versions of the later coat with the bicorne.

In addition to the light infantry battalions, many of these figures can be painted to represent some of the numerous irregular, volunteer light infantry formations which were raised in the early years of the wars - such as the Légion Germanique in 1793.

Here are the catalogue details for the new miniatures in the current release -

Figures are sold individually unless a set is indicated. The number in parentheses denotes the number of available variants for that product code. Variants are supplied randomly, but Eureka Miniatures will always endeavour to supply a representative sample.

Special Discounted Unit Deals

French Light Infantry marching unit deal ("Early" Green uniform, helmet)French light infantry unit - march-attack: in early long tailed coat with square lapels and helmet. Includes 17 chasseurs, four carabiniers, drummer, standard bearer and mounted officer. 24 figures in total for the special price of au$65.00* (normally au$73.85*)

French Light Infantry skirmishing deal ("Early" Green uniform, helmet)French light infantry skirmisher group: in early long tailed coat with square lapels and helmet.Includes 12 chasseurs, 6 carabiniers and 2 dismounted officers. 20 figures in total for the special price of au$52.00* (normally au$59.00*)